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Cory Monteith of Glee found dead in Vancouver hotel room

Canadian actor Cory Monteith once admitted that he was lucky to be alive after battling a fierce, at times paralyzing addiction to drugs.

The 31-year-old
Glee
star’s death in a Vancouver hotel room over the weekend has lead to intense speculation that his luck may have finally run out. But it won’t be until later this week that an autopsy will reveal exactly how he died.

The actor, who rose to fame on the hit
musical show
playing quarterback Finn Hudson, was found by hotel staff after he failed to check out of his room.

Vancouver police have said foul play is unlikely. Video surveillance shows that he returned to the room by himself early Saturday morning. B.C.’s chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, said further tests would be needed to determine how Monteith died. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

“The exact nature of those examinations will depend on investigative findings within the next day or two as information is gathered from medical records and discussions with family take place,” she said.

Monteith however, had openly discussed his battles with drug use — a habit which he started at the age of 13.

In April, Monteith told People magazine that he had voluntarily admitted himself into “a treatment facility for substance addiction.”

It wasn’t his first time in rehab. He was also treated when he was 19 and had talked openly about his addiction struggles, saying he had a serious problem and took just “anything and everything.”

He told Parade magazine in 2011 that he was “lucky to be alive.”

His death caused an outpouring on social media from friends, fans and from the Hollywood community. A RIP Corey
Monteith page
on Facebook had garnered more than half a million likes within hours on Sunday.

“Cory Monteith, may your spirt be at peace, and may you fly with the angels . . . Heartbreaking, my prayers are with all of his loved ones!” wrote pop singer Rihanna on Twitter.

“Speechless. And for the worst reason,” wrote rumoured former girlfriend Taylor Swift.

Kristen Chenoweth, a frequent
Glee
collaborator wrote “RIP CoryMonteith. You Will be loved. Always.”

The producers of
Glee
and Fox network released a joint statement saying: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person.”

Monteith’s fellow
Glee
cast members also took to Twitter shortly after the news of his death broke.

“I am so saddened to hear about Cory. He was such a great guy/Super-kind &warm,” wrote Josh Sussman, who plays Jacob on the show. “A tragic loss. My heart goes out to all his friends & family.”

Nolan Gerard Funk, an actor from Vancouver who joined the
Glee
cast last year, tweeted: “Thanks for always being kind Cory. You came a long way from hanging on the beaches in Vancouver with the gang pre
Glee
. Sending you love bud.”

Even acting Vancouver police Chief Doug LePard who officially announced the death at a press conference, added a personal note.

“I watched
Glee
regularly with my daughters, and I know there will be shock and sadness in many households with the news of his tragic death,” LePard said.

Monteith, who was born in Calgary and raised in Victoria, joined the cast of
Glee
when the series started in 2009.

The former Walmart greeter, roofer and car wash attendant had the kind of back story that did not need embellishment to qualify for a script right out of the show.

“I had a million different jobs,” he told talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

After dropping out in Grade 9 and doing odd jobs over the years, he was at risk of being homeless in Vancouver while he tried to eke out a living. But he never forgot his time on the streets, pushing for a National Youth Homelessness Awareness Day in Canada.

He drove down to California to audition for
Glee
although he had never sung on camera before. He auditioned using drum sticks and Tupperware containers and got the part.

During his early career Monteith had minor roles in
Final Destination 3
,
Whisper
and
Deck the Halls
, and had a recurring role in
Kyle X
.

At the time of his death Monteith was working on the fifth season of
Glee
. His girlfriend on and off the screen was
co-star
Glee
co-star Lea Michelle.

“I love and support Cory and will stand by him through this,” Michele told People when he went into rehab earlier this year.

A representative for Michele released a statement requesting that “everyone kindly respect Lea’s privacy during this devastating time.”

It’s unclear how producers will manage without the popular star.

In his unlikely career Monteith has played cover versions of everyone from singer Bruno Mars to rock group Journey. His tribute of “Don’t Stop Believing” in season one has become an anthem for the show.

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